The ISCU gene provides instructions for making a protein called the iron-sulfur cluster assembly enzyme. As its name suggests, this enzyme is involved in the formation of clusters of iron and sulfur atoms (Fe-S clusters). Specifically, the enzyme acts as a platform, or scaffold, for the assembly of these clusters. Fe-S clusters are critical for the function of many different proteins, including those needed for DNA repair and the regulation of iron levels. Proteins containing Fe-S clusters are also necessary for energy production within mitochondria, which are the cell structures that convert the energy from food into a form that cells can use.
Other Names
HML; hnifU; iron-sulfur cluster scaffold homolog (E. coli); IscU; IscU iron-sulfur cluster scaffold homolog; ISCU_HUMAN; ISU2; MGC74517; NIFU; NifU-like N-terminal domain containing; NIFUN; nitrogen fixation cluster-like
Related Genetics Topics
Identifiers
- NCBI Gene: 23479
- OMIM: 611911
Source: MedlinePlus Genetics, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
